DETROIT (1/13/2018) -- The University of Detroit Mercy men's fencing team went 3-1 at the annual Detroit Mercy Fencing Invitational, held Saturday at Calihan Hall. The Titans hosted local fencing squads from inside the state of Michigan.
The Titans earned victories over Wayne State (18-9), Oakland (20-7) and Michigan State (19-8), with its only setback on the day an 18-9 defeat to the University of Michigan.
Detroit Mercy had several fencers post winning marks on the day, including junior foilist
Algird Szumlas, who posted a perfect mark of 8-0 on Saturday. Fellow foilist
Josh Blackburn had a record of 9-2, while sophomore
Tahj Butler went 8-2 in the epee for the Titans.
In sabre, sophomore
Wiley Dressell went 5-1, while junior
Joshua Sexton and senior
John Engelman were both strong, posting marks of 7-4 and 6-4, respectively. Engelman and Sexton each went 3-0 against Oakland. Newcomer Ian Baker also went 2-4 for the Titans.
Szumlas was 3-0 against Wayne State and 2-0 against both Michigan and Michigan State. Blackburn had multiple bout wins against all four teams, including going 3-0 against the Spartans. Sophomore
Ethan Powers (foil) picked up four victories on the day, going 4-4 overall, including 3-0 against fellow Division I foe Wayne State. Senior foilist
Mikael Paulik earned three bout wins for the Titans, going 2-0 against Oakland.
In epee, Butler led the way with an 8-2 mark, picking up two wins against all four opponents. Senior
Thomas Borden earned three victories against Michigan State and another over Wayne State, tallying four total bout wins. Sophomore
Christopher Morrison (epee) went 5-5 overall on the day for the Titans, earning two wins against both Oakland and Michigan State.
The foil squad led the way with 24 total victories from the fencers, while the sabre squad was just behind with 20 bout triumphs.
Click the links above for full results as well as a photo gallery from the invitational.
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